Vibratory apparatus

ABSTRACT

Successive batches of parts are automatically treated for a predetermined time within a vibratory container supporting a load of treating media and having an outlet that is opened and closed by a movable gate member or a pivotal door. When the gate member and door are moved to open positions in response to actuation by an automatic control system, the parts and media flow by vibration of the container onto a vibratory screen where the parts and media are separated. The media is immediately recirculated to the container by an endless conveyor to aid in discharging the treated batch of parts and media from the container. The gate member is moved into the recirculating media within the container to block the outlet, and after the outlet is clear of media, the door closes. The amplitude of vibration of the container is regulated by a sensing device connected to the container, and controls are provided for presetting the amplitude for different conditions of operation during cycling of the system. Batches of parts are successively supplied to the container from a weighing device including a parts hopper having a door actuated by the control system.

United States Patent [151 3,694,968

Isaacson et al. 45 O t, 3, 1972 [54] VIBRATORY APPARATUS [57] ABSTRACT Inventors! Max 158865011; Benjamin g, both Successive batches of parts are automatically treated of Dayton, Ohio for a predetermined time within a vibratory container supporting a load of treating media and having an out- [73] Assignee' vlbmdyne Dayton ohm let that is opened and closed by a movable gate [22] Filed: Jan. 2, 1970 member or a pivotal door. When the gate member and door are moved to open positions in response to ac- [211 App! 53 tuation by an automatic control system, the parts and media flow by vibration of the container onto a vibra- [52] US. Cl ..51/163 ory creen where the parts and media are separated.

[51] Int. Cl. ..B24b 31/06 The media is imme iately recirculated to the con- [58] Field of Search .....5 l/ l 63 tainel' y an endless conveyor to aid in discharging the treated batch of parts and media from the container.

[56] References Cited The gate member is moved into the recirculating media within the container to block the outlet, and

UNITED STATES PATENTS after the outlet is clear of media, the door closes. The

amplitude of vibration of the container is regulated by gzlg i a sensing device connected to the container, and con- 3422577 l 1969 M 51/163 trols are provided for presetting the amplitude for dif- 3449869 41969 g g en ferent conditions of operation during cycling of the Primary Examiner-Harold D. Whitehead Att0rney-William R. Jacox and Alan I. Meckstroth system. Batches of parts are successively supplied to the container from a weighing device including a parts hopper having a door actuated by the control system.

10 Claims, 5 Drawing Figures PATENTEnoma m2 3,694,968

' sum 1 or '2 MAX ISAACSON 8:

BENJAMIN SMILG BY P'A'TENTEDnm 1912 FIG-3 FIG-5 IOO POWER INPUT CONTROL CONSOLE SHEET 2 [IF 2 D.C. POWER SUPPLY VIBRATORY APPARATUS BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION In the treatment of parts within a vibrating media, as for example, to provide for deburring, descaling, cleaning, polishing or bumishing of the parts, it is desirable to employ a vibratory tub or container of the type disclosed in Isaacson et al. U.S. Pat. No. 3,173,664 so that the parts may be treated in successive batches, and each batch of parts may be retained within the vibrating media for a predetermined time according to the surface treatment desired. When treating successive batches of parts, it is desirable to provide for automatically separating the parts and media after each work load is discharged from the vibratory container through a side discharge opening and for recirculating the media to the container so that the media can be reused for treating the next successive batch of parts.

In one form of vibratory equipment or apparatus which has been previously used for treating a high volume supply of parts, the media is continuously recirculated to the container from the vibrating screen where the parts and media are separated, and the parts are continuously supplied to the vibrating container. This system not only requires that the rate of supply of parts and the rate of discharge of parts be controlled, but also requires a longer period of time for treating a batch of parts than would be required to treat the parts all at one time in a vibratory container as shown in the above patent.

In another form of a vibratory system, the parts are treated in successive batches, and each load of parts and media is discharged from the vibrating container to a vibrating screen where the media is separated from the parts and the media is directed to a storage bin. After each load of parts and media is completely removed from the vibrating container, the outlet of the container os closed, and the media is conveyed from the storage bin back to the container, after which the next batch of parts is supplied to the container. This vibratory system is undesirable in that substantial time is required for removing each load of parts and media from the vibrating container, separating the parts and the media, storing the media and then returning the media to the container after it is completely empty of parts and media, and the discharge opening is closed.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention is directed to improved vibratory apparatus which provides for treating successive batches of parts within a vibrating container having a load of media, and which enables the batches of parts to be successively treated automatically in an efiicient manner. The apparatus provides for recirculating the media to the vibrating container immediately after the media is separated from the parts and thereby eliminates the need for a storage chamber for the media and minimizes the space requirements for the system. The apparatus further provides for closing the outlet of the vibrating container while media is flowing through the outlet so that the recirculating media can be employed to aid in rapid dynamic discharge of each batch of parts from the container. In addition, no time is lost in storing media.

In accordance with one embodiment of the invention, an open-top vibratory container has an outlet within an end wall and through which each load of parts and media within the container is discharged onto a vibratory screen where the parts are separated from the media. The media is recirculated by an inclined endless conveyor to the opposite end of the vibrating container, and a guillotine-like gate member is supported for vertical movement between an elevated retracted position and a lowered closed position within the container chamber adjacent the outlet. The gate member has a horizontal pivot axis, and a fluid cylinder controls the movement of the gate member between its open and closed positions. The outlet is also closed by a door pivotal between an open position and a closed position by a fluid motor. The door carries a screen adjacent a port which is back-flushed when the door is moved to the open position. To assist the discharge of the work load and accelerate the recirculation of the media, water is directed to flow into the media on the return chute and against the inner end wall of the container adjacent the chute.

The electromagnetic drives for the container and the separating screen, the drive for the media conveyor, a trap door within a parts supply hopper, the power operators for the gate member and the pivotal door, and the motor of a pump for supplying a liquid treating compound to the vibrating container are automatically operated in accordance with a preset program by a timer control system. A vibration sensing device is connected to the container and controls the voltage supplied to the drive for the container so that the amplitude of vibration is maintained substantially constant at predetermined settings during the cycling operation regardless of variations of the load of parts and media within the container.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a somewhat schematic plan view of vibratory apparatus constructed in accordance with the invention;

FIG. 2 is a similar schematic elevational view of the apparatus shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a fragmentary section of the discharge end portion of the vibratory container as taken generally on the line 33 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a view taken generally on the line 44 of FIG. 3; and

FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram of an automatic control system for the vibratory apparatus.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, a base 14 supports a rectangular vibratory tub or container 15 defining an open-top chamber 16 of U-shaped configuration and which is constructed generally as shown in above US. Pat. No. 3,173,664 except that one of the end walls 19 has a circular discharge outlet 18 (FIG. 4). In a manner as shown in the above patent, the container 15 is cantileveredly supported for oscillation by a plurality of spring members or beams 20 so that it has a predetermined resonate frequency corresponding substantially to the frequency of the driving force provided by an electromagnetic drive 22 (FIG. 5). The electromagnetic coils of the drive 22 are supplied with power from a DC power source 24, and the voltage of the power supplied to the drive 22 can be varied by a voltage regulator 26 driven by a reversible motor 27 in order to vary the amplitude of oscillation of the container 15.

Referring to FIGS. 3 and 4, a guillotine-like gate member 30 is positioned vertically adjacent the inner surface of the container end wall 19 having the outlet 18, and a pivot connection 31 supports the gate member 30 for rotary movement within a vertical plane between av lowered position within the container chamber 16 to effect closing of the outlet 18 and an elevated retracted position (not shown) above the container. This movement of the gate member 30 is controlled by a fluid cylinder 35 having a piston rod 36 carrying a sprocket 37 around which is directed a flexible chain 38. One end of the chain 38 is secured by a fitting 39 to a vertical frame member 40 which supports the fluid cylinder 35. The chain 38 is also directed around a pair of guide sprockets 42, and the opposite end of the chain 38 is connected by a fitting 43 to the upper edge of the gate member 30. Thus retraction of the piston rod 36 within the fluid cylinder 35 is effective to raise the gate member 30 and open the outlet 18 either partially or completely, and extension of the piston rod 36 is effective to lower the gate member to its closed position blocking the outlet 18. The movement of the gate member 30 between its open and closed positions is determined by limit switches 44, and a resilient block 41 is mounted on the upper edge of the end wall 19 for engagement by the fitting 43 to form a stop for the gate member 30 in its closed position.

In addition to being closed or blocked by the gate member 30, the outlet 18 is also provided with a circular door member 45 supported for pivotal movement on a horizontal axis 46. A rotary fluid motor 48 is positioned above the door 45 and has an output shaft 49 connected by pivotal links 51 and 52 to the door member 45. When the link 51 is rotated counterclockwise, the door member 45 swings to an open position (not shown), and when the link 51 is rotated clockwise, the door member moves to its closed position (FIG. 3) where rollers 53 carried by the link 52 engage corresponding cam surfaces 54 of a bracket 56 to effect a positive locking of the door member in its closed position. A screen 58 is carried by the door member 45, and a tube 59 defines an outlet within the lower portion of the door member 45 to provide for drainage of liquid within the container chamber 16. When the door member 45 is moved to its open position, a nozzle 61 engages the tube 59 and provides for back flushing the screen 58 with a stream of water supplied through a line 62.

A vibratory screen 65 is supported by the base 14 below the outlet 18 of the vibratory container 15 and is adapted to receive each load of parts and media discharged through the outlet 18 and onto a guide chute 66 (FIG. 3). The vibratory screen 65 includes a sloping screen member 68 which is supported above a perforated hopper 70 having an outlet connected to a chute 71. The vibratory screen 65 is cantileveredly supported by spring beams 72 in a manner similar to the vibratory container 15 and is oscillated by a variable electromagnetic drive 74 (FIG. 5) in substantially the same manner as the drive 22 for the vibratory container 15.

An inclined endless conveyor 75 has a bottom inlet hopper 76 positioned below the chute 71, and a chute 78 slopes from the upper end of the conveyor to the end of the vibratory container 15 opposite the end having the outlet 18. The conveyor 75 is driven by a motor 80 (FIGS. 2 and 5). Referring to FIG. 2, successive batches of parts are supplied to the end of the vibratory container 15 opposite the end with the outlet 18, by an endless conveyor (not shown) or from a parts bin connected by a sloping chute 86 to a parts hopper 88 mounted on a balance beam scale 90 supported by a frame 92. The parts hopper 88 has a sloping bottom wall 93 which extends to a trap door 94 operated by a fluid cylinder 95. A sloping chute 98 extends from the discharge outlet of the hopper 88 along side the chute 78 to the adjacent end of the vibratory container .15.

In operation, when a predetermined load of parts are received within the hopper 88, the beam of the scale 90 tilts and actuates a switch 97 (FIG. 2) which stops the supply of parts from the bin 85 and actuates a circuit within a remote control console 100 (FIG. 5). The circuit actuates the cylinder to open the door 94 of the parts hopper 88 so that the batch of parts is delivered to the vibratory container 15 which has been previously supplied with a predetermined load of media. If desired, the parts hopper and its associated conveying and weighing means can be arranged at the hopper inlet 76 so that the parts will be conveyed to the container 15 by the endless conveyor 75. The container 15 is oscillated at substantially a predetermined frequency and amplitude corresponding to the frequency of the power supply and to the setting of the voltage regulator 26, respectively.

While a batch of parts are being treated within the container 15, preferably the gate member 30 is elevated so that the gate member 30 is not subjected to extended abrasion by the media and parts within the container chamber 16. When the parts have been treated within the media for a period sufficient to effect the desired surface treatment, a motor driven timer 102 within the control console actuates the motor 48 which moves the door member 45 to an open position adjacent the nozzle 61.

The load of parts and media are discharged through the outlet 18 and onto the screen member 68 as a result of the oscillatory motion of the container 15. The flow rate of the media and parts through the outlet 18 may be adjusted by adjustably positioning the gate member 30 relative to the outlet 18. As the parts are conveyed by vibration along the upper surface of the screen member 68 to a receiving container, the media vibrates through the screen member 68 and is directed by the hopper 70 and the chute 71 to the inlet 76 of the endless conveyor 75. The media is thus immediately recirculated by the conveyor 75 and the chute 78 to the container 15 so that the media flows into the chamber 16 behind the load of parts and media being discharged through the outlet 18.

When the door member 45 is initially open and before the media begins to return to the container chamber 16, the load within the container 15 decreases. A vibration transducer or sensing device 105 (FIG. 5) is mounted on the container 15 and senses the resulting increase in the amplitude of oscillation of the container 15. The sensing device 105 signals the motor 27 through a balanced bridge circuit to vary the voltage regulator 26 and reduce the voltage to the electromagnetic drive 22 for the container 15. As a result, the amplitude of vibration of the container is maintained substantially constant at a predetermined level corresponding to the desired rate of discharge. The sensing device 105 also functions to maintain a substantially constant preselected vibrational amplitude during the treatment of each batch of parts. This amplitude may be changed simply by unbalancing the bridge circuit.

After the media has been recirculated one or more times to the container chamber 16 according to a predetermined time period which is sufficient to assure that all of the parts have been removed from the container 15, the timer 102 actuates the fluid cylinder 35 causing the gate member 30 to be lowered into the media within the container chamber 16 until the gate member 30 effectively blocks the outlet 18. After a predetermined time which is sufficient to assure that all of the media within the outlet 18 has been vibrated to the vibrating screen 65, the timer 102 actuates the motor 48 causing the door member 45 to move to its closed position (FIG. 3) where it is locked by the toggle action of the links 51 and 52 and the cooperation between the rollers 53 and the cam surfaces 54. The gate member 30 is then elevated, completing the cycle. After a momentary dwell, the timer 102 actuates the fluid cylinder 95 to release another batch of parts into the container 15 and actuates a pump 108 which supplies a liquid treating compound from a reservoir tank 110 through a line 111 to the container chamber 16 with each new batch of parts. The parts continue to be treated within the media until the timer 102 opens the door member 45 and the above described cycle is repeated.

From the drawing and the above description, it is apparent that vibratory apparatus constructed in accordance with the invention provides desirable features and advantages. For example, by recirculating the media immediately after it is separated from the parts, the media returning to the container is used to help discharge the batch of parts from the container chamber 16. That is, the recirculated media tends to urge the media containing the parts through the outlet 18. Prior to the present invention, the vibratory container was emptied at the end of each batch. This operation required a storage container for the media, and the time required for vibrating the parts and media from the container progressively increased as the load of parts and media within the container decreased.

Another important feature of the invention is provided by the gate member 30 which is lowered into the media within the container chamber 16 while media is flowing through the outlet 18 and effectively closes the outlet 18. That is, the gate member 30 sinks into the media and displaces the media below the gate member as the media advances toward the outlet 18. Thus the gate member 30 enables the outlet 18 to be closed without waiting until the container chamber 16 is empty and the outlet 18 is sufficiently free of media to permit the door member 45 to be closed.

The gate member 30 may also be used for partially closing the outlet 18 to effect a correlation between the rate of discharge from the container 15 and separation of the parts and the media within the screen 65. This is especially important when the size of the media particles is close to the size of the parts, requiring a longer time for separation. In some installations, the door member and its associated opening and closing mechanism may be eliminated. In this event, the gate member 30 would remain closed during the treating of the parts and would remain open during the discharge and recirculating of the media. The pressure of the work load against the gate in the closed position is sufficient to effect a seal of the discharge opening 18.

The timer control system which actuates the motors 35 and 48 as well as the drive 72- for the screen 65 and the drive for the conveyor 75, provides for an efiicient automatic operation of the vibratory apparatus according to a programmed cycle. That is, the control system enables successive batches of parts to be automatically treated within the vibratory container 15 without requiring manual operations. In addition to the programming timer, individual controls are provided for independent adjustment of each of the various adjustable power devices. To insure proper operation of the system, control switches prevent starting of the machine 15 if the parts hopper 88 is not full or if the door 45 is open or if the gate member 30 is not in its closed position. Safety controls also prevent closing of the door 45 until the gate member 30 is closed. Furthermore, the vibration sensing device is effective to regulate the voltage of the power supply to the container drive 25 according to the load of parts and media within the container chamber 16 so that a substantially constant amplitude of vibration is maintained regardless of the load within the container.

While the form of vibratory apparatus and method herein described constitutes a preferred embodiment of the invention, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited to this precise form of apparatus and method, and that changes may be made therein without departing from the scope of the invention which is defined in the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

1. Vibratory apparatus adapted for treating successive batches of parts, comprising a generally horizontally disposed container having spaced substantially vertical end walls connected by an intermediate wall and defining a treating chamber adapted to receive a load of parts and treating media, means mounted on said frame and supporting said container for vibration, power operated means for vibrating said container with sufficient force to efi'ect orbital movement of the load in a path generally parallel to said end walls, means defining a discharge outlet within one of said end walls, a generally planar gate member positioned adjacent said one end wall, pivot means supporting said gate member for rotary movement on an axis extending substantially normal to said one end wall and between an open position and a closed position in a direction substantially parallel to the orbital path of the load within said chamber, and said pivot means being located offset from the center of said outlet to effect a rotary slicing shearing action of said gate member through the media when said gate member moves between said open position to said closed position.

2. Apparatus as defined in claim 1 including a door member pivotally supported for movement between a closed position adjacent said outlet and an outwardly retracted open position, power operated means for moving said door member between said open and closed positions, means defining a fluid discharge port within said door member, a screen member covering said port, means for back flushing said screen member when said door member is located in said open position, and control means for actuating said power operated means for said door member subsequent to closing of said gate member to assure said outlet is clear of parts and media before said door member is moved to said closed position.

3. Apparatus as defined in claim 1 including means connected to said container for sensing the amplitude of vibration of said container, and means responsive to said sensing means for automatically controlling said power operated means to maintain the amplitude of vibration substantially constant with variations in the load.

4. Apparatus as defined in claim 1 including an elongated flexible actuating member connected to said gate member, and fluid cylinder means connected to move said actuating member.

5. Apparatus as defined in claim 1 including means for automatically moving said gate member between said open and closed positions according to a predetermined cycle to effect treatment of a batch of parts within said chamber for a predetermined time and then discharge of the parts and media from said chamber.

6. Apparatus as defined in claim 1 including means for supplying successive batches of parts to said chamber, and control means connected to operate said supplying means in timed relation with said means for moving said gate member.

7. Apparatus as defined in claim 1 including means for separating the parts and media after being discharged from said chamber through said outlet, and conveyor means for returning the separated media from said separating means to said chamber adjacent the opposite said end wall while media and parts are flowing through said outlet to assist removal of each batch of parts from said chamber.

8. Apparatus as defined in claim 6 wherein said supplying means include a parts hopper, means for weighing a batch of parts received within said hopper, switch means for actuating said control means in response to receiving a predetermined load of parts within said hopper, and means for delivering a batch of parts from said hopper to said treating chamber.

9. Vibratory apparatus comprising a frame, a container defining a chamber adapted to receive a load of media and parts to be vibrated, means mounted on said frame and supporting said container for vibration, power operated means for vibrating said container with sufficient force to effect rotational movement of the load within said chamber, means connected to said container for sensing the amplitude of vibration of said container, and means responsive to said sensing means for automatically controlling said power operated means to maintain the amplitude of vibration substan- 

1. Vibratory apparatus adapted for treating successive batches of parts, comprising a generally horizontally disposed container having spaced substantially vertical end walls connected by an intermediate wall and defining a treating chamber adapted to receive a load of parts and treating media, means mounted on said frame and supporting said container for vibration, power operated means for vibrating said container with sufficient force to effect orbital movement of the load in a path generally parallel to said end walls, means defining a discharge outlet within one of said end walls, a generally planar gate member positioned adjacent said one end wall, pivot means supporting said gate member for rotary movement on an axis extending substantially normal to said one end wall and between an open position and a closed position in a direction substantially parallel to the orbital path of the load within said chamber, and said pivot means being located offset from the center of said outlet to effect a rotary slicing shearing action of said gate member through the media when said gate member moves between said open position to said closed position.
 2. Apparatus as defined in claim 1 including a door member pivotally supported for movement between a closed position adjacent said outlet and an outwardly retracted open position, power operated means for moving said door member between said open and closed positions, means defining a fluid discharge port within said door member, a screen member covering said port, means for back flushing said screen member when said door member is located in said open position, and control means for actuating said power operated means for said door member subsequent to closing of said gate member to assure said outlet is clear of parts and media before said door member is moved to said closed position.
 3. Apparatus as defined in claim 1 including means connected to said container for sensing the amplitude of vibration of said container, and means responsive to said sensing means for automatically controlling said power operated means to maintain the amplitude of vibration substantially constant with variations in the load.
 4. Apparatus as defined in claim 1 including an elongated flexible actuating member connected to said gate member, and fluid cylinder means connected to move said actuating member.
 5. Apparatus as defined in claim 1 including means for automatically moving said gate member between said open and closed positions according to a predetermined cycle to effect treatment of a batch of parts within said chamber for a predetermined time and then discharge of the parts and media from said chamber.
 6. Apparatus as defined in claim 1 including means for supplying successive batches of parts to said chamber, and control means connected to operate said supplying means in timed relation with said means for moving said gate member.
 7. Apparatus as defined in claim 1 including means for separating the parts and media after being discharged from said chamber through said outlet, and conveyor means for returning the separated media from said separating means to said chamber adjacent the opposite said end wall while media and parts are flowing through said outlet to assist removal of each batch of parts from said chamber.
 8. Apparatus as defined in claim 6 wherein said supplying means include a parts hopper, means for weighing a batch of parts received within said hopper, switch means for actuating said control means in response to receiving a predetermined load of parts within said hopper, and means for delivering a batch of parts from said hopper to said treating chamber.
 9. Vibratory apparatus comprising a frame, a container definiNg a chamber adapted to receive a load of media and parts to be vibrated, means mounted on said frame and supporting said container for vibration, power operated means for vibrating said container with sufficient force to effect rotational movement of the load within said chamber, means connected to said container for sensing the amplitude of vibration of said container, and means responsive to said sensing means for automatically controlling said power operated means to maintain the amplitude of vibration substantially constant with variations in the load.
 10. Vibratory apparatus as defined in claim 9 wherein said controlling means is further effective to shift the amplitude of vibration to a lower level for a predetermined change in the load in said container. 